Curved surface building modules

Abstract

A three-dimensional, curved building module comprises a saddle-shaped module bounded by at least four edge surfaces. Each of the edge surfaces lie in a respective plane of a circumscribing cube. Connecting means are formed along the edge surfaces for joining the modules in edge-to-edge relation with one another. The building modules permit construction of complex, three dimensional forms which divide space into two distinct but intertwining volumes. The building modules may be used as a child's construction toy, or to build sculptures, or to build architectural structures.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A modular building system comprising: a) a plurality of saddle-shaped modules adapted to be joined together to form a space-enclosing structure, each saddle-shaped module including two continuously curved surfaces joined by four edges lying in respective planes of a circumscribing cube, and a flange extending along each edge perpendicularly from the plane of the circumscribing cube; and   b) connecting means for adjoining two or more modules together, said connecting means including an elongated channel member having an I-shaped cross-section, each said channel member including a top rail, a bottom rail disposed parallel to the top rail, and a web extending perpendicularly between the top and bottom webs so as to define two channels on opposite sides for the web for receiving the flanges extending along the edges of two adjoining modules.   
     
     
       2. The building system according to claim 1 further including cooperative securing means for securing the flanges in the respective channels of the channel member. 
     
     
       3. The building system according to claim 2 wherein the cooperative securing means includes a recess formed in the flange of the building module and a mating projection formed on the channel member for engaging the recess in the flange. 
     
     
       4. A modular building system comprising: a) a plurality of saddle-shaped modules adapted to be joined together to form a space-enclosing structure, each saddle-shaped module including two continuously curved surfaces joined by four edges lying in respective planes of a circumscribing cube, and a rigid flange extending along each edge perpendicularly from the plane of the circumscribing cube, each flange including generally planar top and bottom surfaces and an end surface, and wherein the top and bottom surfaces of the flange join respective curved surfaces of a respective edge, and wherein the end surface of the flange is disposed parallel to said edge so that the flange of one module can be joined with the flange of an adjacent module in two different joint configurations; and   b) connecting means for adjoining a flange of one saddle-shaped module with a flange of another saddle-shaped module so as to connect the saddle-shaped modules together.   
     
     
       5. The building system according to claim 4 wherein the connecting means includes an elongated channel member having two channels for receiving the flanges of respective modules.